7/15/2011
Guest column: Faux activism - Opinion - The Diamondback - University of Maryland
Ted Nugent recently wrote an editorial in The Washington Times detailing how the Millennial generation has had an abysmal track record when it comes to mobilizing itself into meaningful political action, and then proceeded to talk about the good old days of the 1960s and '70s when there were real political movements among the youth of the United States. Despite my disgust at his destructive political views and tremendous ignorance regarding economic and social issues, I am inclined to agree with him on the first point.
The Millennials are awful when it comes to meaningful attempts at social change. The June 30 response to Nugent by Greg Nasif, entitled "Millennials: More engaged than you think," merely added more fuel to my belief that most so-called college activists are, in fact, terrified of social change and are ineffectual armchair activists who mistake talk and a virtual Internet presence for meaningful participation in the real-world battlegrounds where change is effected.
How can anyone claim they actually contributed to anything by sitting around on their laptop? I visited www.avaaz.org, as mentioned in Nasif's article, and it's literally just a depot for Internet petitions. How is this real activism? Any feel-good petition could be posted there, and is sure to acquire a large number of signatures from "activists" sitting far behind the front lines. Signing the petition means nothing, because it is entirely safe. Nothing has been risked, nothing will be gained. One could make a petition on Avaaz that's about ending the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. One could get 500 million people to sign it; it would fail. Governments the world over don't care about armchair activists at all; words are not actions. Without any sort of mobilization of the population to demonstrate the power of a popular movement, activism is sound and fury, signifying nothing.
I'm more than a little confused as to why this kind of completely inactive activism is something people find admirable. Why not fight police in the street if your cause is just? Why not interrupt political events if they are against your cause and violate the ideals you believe in? Is it because those things are — to borrow a phrase from Nasif — "downright barbaric?" All of the people in the Third World battling for their lives against repressive regimes are disgusting barbarians based on this assessment.
Philosophical non-violence is the purview of the privileged. There are rebel groups all over the world battling in the face of oppression. Would you support them if they organized sit downs and hunger strikes (and then get shot)? The Arab Spring worked as it did due to a very specific set of circumstances. This leads me to the definition of "meaningful protest," and why the recent "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" — also mentioned by Nasif as a form of his own activism — does not fit into this model in any way.
The rally was soulless consumerism at its finest. It was something allowing young liberals to congregate and say "I was there!" There were no goals, and there was no real point. Some people came out to show support against a conservative bogeyman and for some things approaching real issues. But most came out to congregate around corporate media and pretend that this meeting was important, though it had meaning in no other sense than through filling their own collective egos.
Do you think the protesters and supposed revolutionaries in the Arab Spring managed to overthrow their regimes through strategic clicks on an online form? In fact, a tremendous majority didn't use Facebook or Twitter or other social media; they actually went out and protested. Technology is a useful tool. However, many people today attempt to use it as a substitute for actual action. Signing online petitions and "liking" things on Facebook as a replacement for activity is a convenient illusion for the privileged. While I have my own issues with Arab Spring, at least they went out and did something. Armchair activism cannot and will not accomplish what civil rights protesters did in the 1960s and '70s, and while Ted Nugent looks back on those decades with a rose-tinted lens, he has a point about America's youth today. If you aren't willing to even argue and be passionate about your political and moral beliefs, then you'll be left by the wayside while the real activists and revolutionaries change the world.
Thomas Bradtke is a senior history major. He can be reached at tjbradtke at verizon dot net.
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Small Business Loans for Entrepreneurship
Business lending continues to be listed as a key reason small businesses are struggling in the recovering economy. But how true is the assertion? This roundup looks at the latest efforts to correct the situation and at the realities involved. Take a look:
News
Small business loans on the horizon. Six banks are receiving funds from the U.S. Treasury Department aimed at the small business sector. The funding includes $30 billion in small business loans which, it is hoped, will spur yet more small biz lending from smaller banks. Fox Business
Here is how the funding breaks down. Funding aimed at small businesses and coming from the U.S. Treasury Department will roll out in stages. The first stage will be $123 million aimed at six community banks announced yesterday. The money is part of funding first outlined by President Obama in his 2010 State of the Union Address. Bloomberg Businessweek
Trends
But small businesses are still struggling to get loans. Despite all the talk of the importance of small businesses to the economy, lending to small businesses has actually decreased, further stalling chances of economic recovery. The reasons are numerous but while large companies can turn to equity markets to raise capital, larger banks have become shy about lending and smaller banks may not have the resources. There are, however, other options. Time
A new more analytical approach to lending? Technology is taking a role in the way lenders are approaching risk as well. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, it may not hurt to get a more detailed look behind the scenes at how lenders see potential risk and how your business might be perceived. How can you make your company look better in the new algorythm? All Analytics
Other Opportunities
Business lending from an unlikely source. Office Depot announces Small Business Administration loans of up to $25,000 through Superior Financial Group, a federally regulated Small Business Lending Corporation. The deal for qualified borrowers includes a 10 percent discount on loan origination fees and eight years for repayment. Read more. WSJ
Get yourself a microloan. Global microlender Kiva.org and Visa Inc. are teaming up for a program that will make microloans available in some U.S. cities. For more on which communities will be selected and how the program works, be sure to check out the full press release above. Small Business Trends
Reality Check
Small businesses are borrowing anyway. But despite all the concerns raised over small business lending both by political leaders and by business owners who often reportedly list access to funding as their biggest problem, small businesses are apparently finding ways to borrow anyway. Their current borrowing ratrly money e is the highest since July 2008. Inc.com
Some small business lenders just keep lending. In fact, one in particular has actually doubled its SBA lending in the first half of 2011. Despite all the hand ringing, this report puts concerns about availability of small business loans in perspective. Though some changes in lending have certainly occurred, money is certainly flowing to some small businesses out there. Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal
Surveys
Lending currently on the rise. Despite all the doom and gloom about the lack of adequate small business financing, one survey suggests a positive lending trend is already beginning. For more on the latest numbers showing small business loans are indeed on the increase, see the full release at the link above. Market Watch
Opinion
Could investors be the better bet? Small Business Trends founder Anita Campbell wonders whether increased bank regulations will continue to keep loans scarce forcing entrepreneurs to rely on personal credit or money from family and friends. But could private investors hold another option for business in need of financing. Open Forum
Small Business Loans for Entrepreneurship
Business lending continues to be listed as a key reason small businesses are struggling in the recovering economy. But how true is the assertion? This roundup looks at the latest efforts to correct the situation and at the realities involved. Take a look:
News
Small business loans on the horizon. Six banks are receiving funds from the U.S. Treasury Department aimed at the small business sector. The funding includes $30 billion in small business loans which, it is hoped, will spur yet more small biz lending from smaller banks. Fox Business
Here is how the funding breaks down. Funding aimed at small businesses and coming from the U.S. Treasury Department will roll out in stages. The first stage will be $123 million aimed at six community banks announced yesterday. The money is part of funding first outlined by President Obama in his 2010 State of the Union Address. Bloomberg Businessweek
Trends
But small businesses are still struggling to get loans. Despite all the talk of the importance of small businesses to the economy, lending to small businesses has actually decreased, further stalling chances of economic recovery. The reasons are numerous but while large companies can turn to equity markets to raise capital, larger banks have become shy about lending and smaller banks may not have the resources. There are, however, other options. Time
A new more analytical approach to lending? Technology is taking a role in the way lenders are approaching risk as well. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, it may not hurt to get a more detailed look behind the scenes at how lenders see potential risk and how your business might be perceived. How can you make your company look better in the new algorythm? All Analytics
Other Opportunities
Business lending from an unlikely source. Office Depot announces Small Business Administration loans of up to $25,000 through Superior Financial Group, a federally regulated Small Business Lending Corporation. The deal for qualified borrowers includes a 10 percent discount on loan origination fees and eight years for repayment. Read more. WSJ
Get yourself a microloan. Global microlender Kiva.org and Visa Inc. are teaming up for a program that will make microloans available in some U.S. cities. For more on which communities will be selected and how the program works, be sure to check out the full press release above. Small Business Trends
Reality Check
Small businesses are borrowing anyway. But despite all the concerns raised over small business lending both by political leaders and by business owners who often reportedly list access to funding as their biggest problem, small businesses are apparently finding ways to borrow anyway. Their current borrowing ratrly money e is the highest since July 2008. Inc.com
Some small business lenders just keep lending. In fact, one in particular has actually doubled its SBA lending in the first half of 2011. Despite all the hand ringing, this report puts concerns about availability of small business loans in perspective. Though some changes in lending have certainly occurred, money is certainly flowing to some small businesses out there. Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal
Surveys
Lending currently on the rise. Despite all the doom and gloom about the lack of adequate small business financing, one survey suggests a positive lending trend is already beginning. For more on the latest numbers showing small business loans are indeed on the increase, see the full release at the link above. Market Watch
Opinion
Could investors be the better bet? Small Business Trends founder Anita Campbell wonders whether increased bank regulations will continue to keep loans scarce forcing entrepreneurs to rely on personal credit or money from family and friends. But could private investors hold another option for business in need of financing. Open Forum
Entrepreneurship awareness rises
By Rosemary Mirondo, The Citizen Correspondent
Dar es Salaam. The level of awareness among women entrepreneurs is growing, thanks to the East African Community Common Market.Women participants in the 35th Tanzania International Trade Fair are exhibiting quality products that offer credible competition in international markets.
According to them, the introduction of the EA Common Market has opened up avenues for their businesses to strive. They are now forced to take the challenge for fear of being left behind by their colleagues in the region.
It was not amazing therefore to note that women were dominant in pavilions. They included those under the sponsorship of the Equal Opportunities for all Trust Fund (EOTF), Pride, Sido, NMB, Karume hall and Tanzania Agro Dealer Strengthening Programme (TASP).
A principlal trade officer in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ms Anna Bulondo, emphasized that if women were empowered they would be capable of performing well in the world of trade and business.
She said the ministry had identified women with potentials of competing locally and internationally.
According to her, it was the first time the ministry participated in the exhibition. But this year they decided to support 30 women from both Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar who had high quality products able to compete with others from anywhere in the world. Ms Bulonda stressed that the ministry’s aim was to support small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) and find markets for their products. According to a research conducted by the ministry, SMEs had many potentials but lacked capital to start business.
However, she said the exhibition gave them an opportunity to advertise their products. It also enabled them to learn from other exhibitors in and outside the country on how to improve their products.
For his part, the Pride senior operations officer, Mr Jumanne Budala, said women had shown great awareness by participating in the exhibitions in large numbers every year.
He said this was particularly the case this year as 80 per cent of pavilions were occupied by women. He said they also have high quality products and a lot of creativeness.
According to him, the exhibition gives SMEs an opportunity for accessing new markets, increasing relations and expanding their businesses after exposure.
Meanwhile, at the TASP pavilion, Ms Zawadi Visram, an entrepreneur from Arusha dealing in artifacts and craft, said it was her fifth participation in the exhibition.
During the first time, she said, she got an order to supply picture frames made from dry bones to Serena Tours. According to her, the order made her expand business, and since then she has never looked back. She has always attended the trade fair which brings her new customers.
“The exhibition is not only for selling my products, but I also meet new customers and get a huge order for my products,” the joyful Ms Visram said.
At the same pavilion, Ms Khadija John, who is managing director of her company based in Iringa known as Khadija Designs, had an interesting story to tell.
She revealed that she did not want to be dependent on her husband, and therefore decided to be an entrepreneur.
She said at first it had not been easy. But she worked hard at her products which include clothes made from batik, ornaments and picture frames, she said.According to her, a majority of SMEs cannot compete in international markets because they lack experience and mechanisms for packaging products.
In view of that, she called on the government to invest in SMEs as they dealt in large and medium businesses to boost the economy.
She said, like many of her colleagues, she was taking part in the exhibition because it was one way of getting customers without having to use a lot of funds in advertising.
She said since she started participating in the exhibitions two years ago, she acquired experience from other participants, both local and international. She also got new orders that have kept her busy, she said.
In the Equal Opportunity for All Trust (EOTF) pavilion, an entrepreneur from Mtwara, Ms Bibianna Moro, said like her, many women were now taking advantage of the trade fair to advertise their products.
She said a majority of women no longer depended on their husbands for support.
She said her products comprised sculptures for both domesticated and wild animals, baskets, wallets and ornaments
“I am not ready to sit back and let opportunities pass by. Doing business also gives me a lot of morale because I am able to support my family instead of just waiting for assistance from my husband,” she stressed.Meanwhile, at the Pride Pavilion, Ms Siya Mlai from Arusha, said women have a lot of awareness and now take advantage of opportunities to strengthen their business.
Her products are made of local raw materials comprising ornaments, women handbags, clothes and home decorations.
She said she was what she was today because she continuously participated in the trade fair. She said it had brought her together with other traders and opened new markets for her.
Dativa Rugaleo from Dar es Salaam said the fair brought them customers worldwide who would have otherwise been difficult and expensive to reach.
In Tanzania it is estimated that women especially rural women provide 80 percent of labour force in rural area and producing 60 percent of food production. Though, they are the main producers of cash crops, the environment does not allow them to own their own wealth. Women do not have decision on the reproductive issues for example most women cannot decide on the number of children in the family though they are the ones playing a big role in child rearing.
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Entrepreneurship awareness rises
By Rosemary Mirondo, The Citizen Correspondent
Dar es Salaam. The level of awareness among women entrepreneurs is growing, thanks to the East African Community Common Market.Women participants in the 35th Tanzania International Trade Fair are exhibiting quality products that offer credible competition in international markets.
According to them, the introduction of the EA Common Market has opened up avenues for their businesses to strive. They are now forced to take the challenge for fear of being left behind by their colleagues in the region.
It was not amazing therefore to note that women were dominant in pavilions. They included those under the sponsorship of the Equal Opportunities for all Trust Fund (EOTF), Pride, Sido, NMB, Karume hall and Tanzania Agro Dealer Strengthening Programme (TASP).
A principlal trade officer in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ms Anna Bulondo, emphasized that if women were empowered they would be capable of performing well in the world of trade and business.
She said the ministry had identified women with potentials of competing locally and internationally.
According to her, it was the first time the ministry participated in the exhibition. But this year they decided to support 30 women from both Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar who had high quality products able to compete with others from anywhere in the world. Ms Bulonda stressed that the ministry’s aim was to support small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) and find markets for their products. According to a research conducted by the ministry, SMEs had many potentials but lacked capital to start business.
However, she said the exhibition gave them an opportunity to advertise their products. It also enabled them to learn from other exhibitors in and outside the country on how to improve their products.
For his part, the Pride senior operations officer, Mr Jumanne Budala, said women had shown great awareness by participating in the exhibitions in large numbers every year.
He said this was particularly the case this year as 80 per cent of pavilions were occupied by women. He said they also have high quality products and a lot of creativeness.
According to him, the exhibition gives SMEs an opportunity for accessing new markets, increasing relations and expanding their businesses after exposure.
Meanwhile, at the TASP pavilion, Ms Zawadi Visram, an entrepreneur from Arusha dealing in artifacts and craft, said it was her fifth participation in the exhibition.
During the first time, she said, she got an order to supply picture frames made from dry bones to Serena Tours. According to her, the order made her expand business, and since then she has never looked back. She has always attended the trade fair which brings her new customers.
“The exhibition is not only for selling my products, but I also meet new customers and get a huge order for my products,” the joyful Ms Visram said.
At the same pavilion, Ms Khadija John, who is managing director of her company based in Iringa known as Khadija Designs, had an interesting story to tell.
She revealed that she did not want to be dependent on her husband, and therefore decided to be an entrepreneur.
She said at first it had not been easy. But she worked hard at her products which include clothes made from batik, ornaments and picture frames, she said.According to her, a majority of SMEs cannot compete in international markets because they lack experience and mechanisms for packaging products.
In view of that, she called on the government to invest in SMEs as they dealt in large and medium businesses to boost the economy.
She said, like many of her colleagues, she was taking part in the exhibition because it was one way of getting customers without having to use a lot of funds in advertising.
She said since she started participating in the exhibitions two years ago, she acquired experience from other participants, both local and international. She also got new orders that have kept her busy, she said.
In the Equal Opportunity for All Trust (EOTF) pavilion, an entrepreneur from Mtwara, Ms Bibianna Moro, said like her, many women were now taking advantage of the trade fair to advertise their products.
She said a majority of women no longer depended on their husbands for support.
She said her products comprised sculptures for both domesticated and wild animals, baskets, wallets and ornaments
“I am not ready to sit back and let opportunities pass by. Doing business also gives me a lot of morale because I am able to support my family instead of just waiting for assistance from my husband,” she stressed.Meanwhile, at the Pride Pavilion, Ms Siya Mlai from Arusha, said women have a lot of awareness and now take advantage of opportunities to strengthen their business.
Her products are made of local raw materials comprising ornaments, women handbags, clothes and home decorations.
She said she was what she was today because she continuously participated in the trade fair. She said it had brought her together with other traders and opened new markets for her.
Dativa Rugaleo from Dar es Salaam said the fair brought them customers worldwide who would have otherwise been difficult and expensive to reach.
In Tanzania it is estimated that women especially rural women provide 80 percent of labour force in rural area and producing 60 percent of food production. Though, they are the main producers of cash crops, the environment does not allow them to own their own wealth. Women do not have decision on the reproductive issues for example most women cannot decide on the number of children in the family though they are the ones playing a big role in child rearing.
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Junior World Entrepreneurship Forum 2011 – 25-28 Jul : SGEntrepreneurs
Junior World Entrepreneurship Forum (JWEF) 2011 will be held in the various tertiary institutions across Singapore. It aims to gather entrepreneurs and youths together to share their vision, finding, ideas and recommendation on current global issues. This event will consist of a seminar and a networking cum discussion session, which facilitates the transfer of knowledge from industry professional to student participants and develop entrepreneurial skills in the youths. The theme for this year is “Entrepreneurship, a driver for technology and innovation”. The Junior World Entrepreneurship forum is a global association of students aimed at supporting the mission of the World Entrepreneurship Forum which is to create wealth and social justice through entrepreneurship.
Event Details
Day 1: Preparing The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
When: Monday, 25th July 2011
Where: Auditorium, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (Map)
Register here.
Day 2: “From Innovation to Business Success” & “The Best Cities for Entrepreneurs”
When: Tuesday, 26th July 2011
Where: Auditorium 2, Temasek Polytechnic (Map)
Register here.Day 3: Empowering Entrepreneurs at the Base of the Pyramid
When: Wednesday, 27th July 2011
Where: LT 73C, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Map)
Register here.Day 4: Grand Finale
When: Thursday, 28th July 2011
Where: Lecture Theatre, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University (Map)
Register here.
SCORE Success Blog » Starting: Create Your Own “Entrepreneurship Internship”
Starting: Create Your Own “Entrepreneurship Internship”
July 12, 2011 rieva7-->
Find Out If You’re Ready
Are you thinking about starting your own business, but not sure if you’re cut out for it? Last week on the SCORE Success Blog I blogged about a new study that shed some light on the old controversy of whether entrepreneurship can be taught. Continuing with that theme, I was intrigued by an article on BNET about how franchise company Moe’s Southwest Grill created an “internship program” for potential franchisees.
Moe’s was being approached by potential franchisees who fit every qualification except one: they didn’t have restaurant experience. Reluctant to keep turning buyers away, the company developed a program in which potential franchisees spend three weeks in one of Moe’s restaurants. “Six days a week for ten hours a day, they do everything from cleaning bathrooms to rolling burritos to serving guests,” Moe’s president, Paul Damico, told BNET. Moe’s evaluates the prospects’ abilities; the potential franchisees, in turn, get to experience the reality of restaurant ownership and decide if they still want pursue the opportunity. So far, Damico says 80 percent of the prospects who went through the program have become franchisees.
If you’re considering starting a business, why not take a cue from Moe’s and create your own entrepreneurship internship? There are different ways to go about this. All it takes is a little thought, creativity and chutzpah.
First, look for businesses in the industry where you want to start. (You might need to look outside your immediate area, since a company in your own neighborhood might consider you too competitive). Are any of them hiring? Ideally, it would be nice to get paid for your services as well as having a learning experience. If you can’t afford to leave your current job, look for a part-time job at one of the companies.
Be honest with the companies you approach about what you’re doing. Explain that you’re thinking of starting a business in this industry and you want to get some experience first to see whether it’s for you. Keep trying, and chances are you’ll find a company that is willing to give you a chance. It might be a little easier to swing this idea if you’re 22 than if you’re, say, 52, but be persistent and eventually you’ll find someone who is sympathetic to your career explorations.
Another way to learn about an industry is to talk to a SCORE Mentor who’s been there, done that. Visit SCORE’s website to get matched with a mentor for free online or offline counseling and advice.
Rieva Lesonsky, GrowBiz Media
View more posts by RievaFiled under: Starting
Clinton and Google chairman to attend summit in Bali | The Jakarta Post
Peter Cao, Beijing, China | Wed, 13/07/2011 - 20:07pm
Eric Schmidt had involved himself in a case in Stanford which regards to the murdering of a U.S. citizen. And he had endangered my life multiple times during his fight with Stanford.
Particularly, on 02/25/2007, Eric Schmidt had sent to me message to threaten my life with the mysterious death of a completely innocent Stanford student named May Zhou (http://www.mayzhou.com a girl of Taiwan origin, U.S. citizen, MIT alumnus and Stanford Ph.D. student), "You see May Zhou, if..., May Zhou is an Asian, police may not even find out who did it, what if it happened to you?"
U.S. authorities investigation suggests it is powers on Eric Schmidt's side who's behind MayZhou's murder case, and Eric Schmidt had a role in this plotted murder case about May Zhou. There are still conspiracies behind the scene which no one dare clarify at authorities, and Eric Schmidt's side had endangered my life multiple times during his fight with Stanford since then, and Eric Schmidt's side almost took an action to take my life while was around Montain View, the only reason they didn't make it reality is because they are closely watched by securities.
By the way, though Police initially ruled May Zhou's death as a suicide case, most people, including those who know May Zhou before her death, seriously doubt it. In Feburary 2011, I have informed investigators with key points, which after authorities' investigation had produced undeniable supporting evidence that May Zhou's case is a plotted murder but not a suicide.
Eric Schmidt get himself involved into crimes regards to people's lives, but he didn't pay for his crime.
================================================
============================================
References:See comments part in the following linkto find out what's going on in Eric Schmidt's ase
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/170467-google-chairman-er...Here are some interesting discussions about Eric's crime in the murder case: http://tysurl.com/UsZz7b
Here is an interesting link to the case where all crimes from Eric Schmidt's side started
http://tysurl.com/mssgYn
attention to the photo evidence in the context.
The Art of Small Business Entrepreneurship
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Small Business News July 15, 2011 By Small Business News Are you an entrepreneur? If you’re reading this post or found it in a Google search, perhaps the answer should be obvious. Whether the business you plan to start or get into is large, small, or somewhere in between, the skills you will use to evaluate the market, competition and risks of the venture are, in part, skills belonging to an entrepreneur. If you fit into this category, you’ve come to the right place. So sit back and enjoy the links below.
Entrepreneurship Basics
Differences between big and small business? Is there a real difference between building a big versus small business? Maybe not, according to Liz Strauss who had the opportunity to visit with billionaire Clay Mathile and hear the story of his life as an entrepreneur. Check out some of Liz’s takeaways and ask yourself, is this any different than the way you would build your business? Successful and Outstanding Bloggers
How to get others to take ownership. It’s tough to get others who don’t own your business to behave as if they do. Let’s face it. Do you want your day-to-day business managed by people who view your company as just place to put in their time for 40 hours a week? Or do you want them to truly feel as if they have a vested interest in the place? Any entrepreneur can tell you about the benefits of managers who take ownership. Now, here’s how to accomplish it. Inc.com
Humble Beginnings
Why small entrepreneurs should hire their kids. Summer’s here and if you’ve got kids who are out of school and without a summer job and you also happen to own a business, here are some thoughts about bringing your progeny into the family enterprise. Some simple steps will allow both you and your children to get the most out of the experience and who knows! You may be launching them on the path of entrepreneurship too. WSJ
Starting with nothing. Becoming an entrepreneur doesn’t need to involve raising outside investment…at least in the beginning. Starting a business with no outside and limited internal funding is a time honored tradition among entrepreneurs creating businesses large and small. It’s called bootstrapping and here are some suggestions that can make it work for you. Open Forum
Basic Skills
What is your product or service for? You may not have thought about really asking or answering this question before but it is the most important question for an entrepreneur to answer about a product or service. Answering it also can help you answer other questions like, who are your target customers and how can you let them know you exist? Answering these questions incorrectly can result in problems but not as many as never asking them at all. Seth Godin’s Blog
The need for financial literacy. No matter how large or small your business, a firm understanding of financials is imperative for every entrepreneur. Sure your passion is in the core functions of your business, but there is no excuse for failing to understand the financial side of things. To this end, venture capital investor Brad Feld has decided to write a series of posts that will help all entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of the economic realities behind their businesses. Feld Thoughts
Self-development
What kind of business are you really in? Rex Hammock may have started in the publishing business but soon discovered that his business was truly about helping his customers to better meet their goals. Rex talks about “loyalty” as a “journey” with customers and clients and about understanding how helping your customers achieve their goals is your real business and the one that will help you achieve the greatest success. Chris Brogan
Principles of leadership. As an entrepreneur, you are a leader, whether you run a company with 100 employees or with just one. As an entrepreneur you have created a new product or service, a new brand, something new that has never been seen before. So what principles should you adopt to help you cope with the many pressures that also come along with entrepreneurship? Here are some basics from CEO Tony Schwartz. Fast Company
Customer Service & Startup
What are your customers really worth? Understanding the value your customers represent is the key to success for any entrepreneur. But the fact is that there are many ways customers are valuable to your business going beyond simply purchasing your products and services. If you want to learn more about how your customers and clients can shape your business, perhaps in ways you never expected, read on. Open Forum
To be or not to be. In a highly competitive economy with few resources at hand such as readily available financing or credit, one small business consultant asks the question, is this really the right time to become an entrepreneur? The answer (not surprisingly) is that it depends. Do you have a great idea, see a great opportunity or have the ability to stick it our long enough? There are always good reasons not to become an entrepreneur and to become one as well. But in the end, the decision comes down to you. The Frugal Entrepreneur
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What would you have said if your were Thomas Edison’s friend at the 5,000 try? | Soul Hangout
What would you have said if your were Thomas Edison’s friend at the 5,000 try?
There is no consensus in how many times Thomas Edison tried and erred in the making of the light bulb. The numbers, as far as I know, go from 2,000 to 14,000 times. So, for the purpose of this reflection, we’ll pick one approximate number.
Apparently the inventor reported in a radio interview that the number of trials was actually 10,000. Now, let’s stop right there and just imagine the conversations with his friends around the 5,000 time…? What were they thinking at the 5,000 time…His friends. Can you imagine what he was thinking in the middle of the road to the 10,000 magic number needed to manifest the magnificent invention? Can you imagine what is he himself thinking at the 5,000 time?
History proved that he persisted 5,000 times more. If he didn’t, things would have changed for all of us. It is the huge strength of purpose what takes him like a big wave crossing the seas of her destiny. Now the question is, what makes the difference.
What makes the difference between quitting or persisting at that point. What makes him feel like his mission and ultimate vision are bigger than him. What is the force behind him that keeps pushing him to continue, against all odds. That is the key. It has to do with purpose certainty. It makes sense, if we came to this planet with a purpose that would fulfill our spirits, the very action to that initial commitment makes you want to go on and on and on… Non stop
Mind you 5,000 in this case it is that difficult place in the middle of the mountain. You know what I am talking about. Remember when you started a project, driven in the the beginning with the enthusiasm and devotion until you got to the middle of the project?
You got to that specific place in the middle of the mountain where you can’t see the skirt of the mountain as you look down and you can’t see the peek as you look up. You are in zero zone. The only thing that will help you in that moment is, to tell you the truth, your clear sense of a big picture.
Back to the core of it. So how do you deal with it? How did that one feel? That is the moment of truth, isn’t it? I don’t know about you, but to me that is the moment when my faith stumbles and I want to run away as far as I can, abandoning the whole thing without any shame.
So, many people dare to start climbing the mountain. The question is, how many make it to the top? The thing is, that to be having the experience right there at number 5,000 and have to continue 5,000 more times to reach the golden moment of manifesting the idea into reality means to double the effort.
It prompts you to stop and think. Why is it worth it. Means a long way of certainty walking through the most dark uncertainty. Many times, more than we need, friends don’t share the same respect for your vision and your purpose. Most of the time they are not doing it. It is hard for them to relate to the risky and uncertain task you have dedicated your life to. Your soul purpose! Your soul is finally exploding in happiness, and your friends are on a quest to destroy your faith no matter what. Because they are focused in their own fear, and their own lack of belief.
It’s hard for them to grasp there would be purpose behind so much risk…It is hard to believe the answers are within, because it is hard to imagine you are a knowledgeable source. Honestly. That is part of the deception. That there is nothing of value inside of us.
So they harm your journey. Interfere with your faith, and project their own fear and self disbelief to you. It has nothing to do with you. It is theirs, but you need to run away from that as fast as you can. Serious! No matter who is playing it and how close that person feels to you.
Please let me know your thoughts about this.
Luz
The Thought Provoking, Irreverent Pearl Necklace Grandmother of the 21st C. Paradigm Shifter, Poet, Storyteller, Marketer, Visionary, Blogger, Coach. Mrs. Fire
“50/50 The Magic of the Middle Line”, Experience Coaching”
Founder Soul Hangout & Co-Creative Circles of Coherence, Soul Mastermind Groups. Consciously Connecting & Combining Intelligence with a touch of “Curry”. The 7 “C”‘s of the 7 Condiments of Cooperation
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11 Responses to “What would you have said if your were Thomas Edison’s friend at the 5,000 try?”
- ?eba noclegi Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 9:42 pm eI have marked the site. Interesting info.
- Shopping Center Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 7:36 am eHonestly, this is – by far – the best post quality web design I have ever seen. I’d love to say something insightful or beneficial to other readers here, but I can’t think of anything. Great work!
- sklep internetowy Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 4:19 pm eI am quite interesting in this topic hope you will elaborate more on it in future posts
- Sportster Exhaust Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 8:32 pm eHmmm thanks for this a little good post. But I still dont get the last part though! – Sportster exhaust
- Sportster Exhaust Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 8:06 pm eHey this post is nice and interesting. I’ll use it for my project
- Luz Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 12:40 am eGlad you like it my friend!
- My business, the foundation and vision within the story. A Journal to become a book. | Soul Hangout Says:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:28 pm e[...] from my Son.Luz on 420449169_52929b5634Luz on 420449169_52929b5634Luz on 420449169_52929b5634Luz on What would you have said if your were Thomas Edison’s friend at the 5,000 try?Luz on 7 ways to stop procrastination for good, and move on with your dream.Mirian Borovetz on 7 [...]
- Luz Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 12:49 am eThe last part is implying that everybody’s journey for purpose is personal. That if I was Thomas Edison’s friend sitting with him at his 5,000 trial, I would stay there with him, for 5,000 more times. Because I would have blind faith in his vision.
- Luz Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 1:40 am eI will my dear friend. I will keep you posted. Stay tuned!
- Luz Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 1:42 am eThanks so much my dear!
- Lacy Wolfe Says:
December 24th, 2010 at 3:42 pm eHey this post is nice and interesting. I’ll use it for my project
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